Chapter V · Chapter 5

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading With his hands clasped round one of his knees he was rocking slowly backwards and forwards; and I noticed, in the lamplight, that his jaw muscles were contracting rhythmically, like the gills of a fish.

happening at a time subsequent to a reference time

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

anew

From this reading My thin friend, with the same prim composure upon his emaciated face, had seated himself again upon the box.

in spite of the fact that

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

at or to or toward the back or rear

From this reading With his hands clasped round one of his knees he was rocking slowly backwards and forwards; and I noticed, in the lamplight, that his jaw muscles were contracting rhythmically, like the gills of a fish.

plural of “basket” — a container that is usually woven and has handles

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

the past participle of “be”

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

earlier than; in front of

From this reading Sick and faint, with the shadow of death still clouding my wits, I was none the less fascinated by the scene which lay before me.

a (usually rectangular) container; may have a lid

From this reading My thin friend, with the same prim composure upon his emaciated face, had seated himself again upon the box.

physically and forcibly separated into pieces or cracked or split

From this reading The only light which entered was through the cracks of the old broken door, but these were so wide and numerous that I could see the whole of the room which I had just quitted.

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The only light which entered was through the cracks of the old broken door, but these were so wide and numerous that I could see the whole of the room which I had just quitted.

showing who or what does the action

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

past form of “clasp” — hold firmly and tightly

From this reading With his hands clasped round one of his knees he was rocking slowly backwards and forwards; and I noticed, in the lamplight, that his jaw muscles were contracting rhythmically, like the gills of a fish.

the process whereby water particles become visible in the sky

From this reading Sick and faint, with the shadow of death still clouding my wits, I was none the less fascinated by the scene which lay before me.

steadiness of mind under stress

From this reading My thin friend, with the same prim composure upon his emaciated face, had seated himself again upon the box.

becoming infected

From this reading With his hands clasped round one of his knees he was rocking slowly backwards and forwards; and I noticed, in the lamplight, that his jaw muscles were contracting rhythmically, like the gills of a fish.

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

plural of “crack” — a long narrow opening

From this reading The only light which entered was through the cracks of the old broken door, but these were so wide and numerous that I could see the whole of the room which I had just quitted.

a small room (or recess) or cabinet used for storage space

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

absence of light or illumination

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

the event of dying or departure from life

From this reading Sick and faint, with the shadow of death still clouding my wits, I was none the less fascinated by the scene which lay before me.

discovered or determined by scientific observation

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

a swinging or sliding barrier that will close the entrance to a room or building or vehicle

From this reading The only light which entered was through the cracks of the old broken door, but these were so wide and numerous that I could see the whole of the room which I had just quitted.

very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold

From this reading My thin friend, with the same prim composure upon his emaciated face, had seated himself again upon the box.

past form of “enter” — to come or go into

From this reading The only light which entered was through the cracks of the old broken door, but these were so wide and numerous that I could see the whole of the room which I had just quitted.

the front of the human head from the forehead to the chin and ear to ear

From this reading My thin friend, with the same prim composure upon his emaciated face, had seated himself again upon the box.

deficient in magnitude; barely perceptible; lacking clarity or brightness or loudness etc

From this reading Sick and faint, with the shadow of death still clouding my wits, I was none the less fascinated by the scene which lay before me.

having your attention fixated as though by a spell

From this reading Sick and faint, with the shadow of death still clouding my wits, I was none the less fascinated by the scene which lay before me.

mat together and make felt-like

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

any of various mostly cold-blooded aquatic vertebrates usually having scales and breathing through gills

From this reading With his hands clasped round one of his knees he was rocking slowly backwards and forwards; and I noticed, in the lamplight, that his jaw muscles were contracting rhythmically, like the gills of a fish.

intended to be given to, or used by, somebody

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

at or to or toward the front

From this reading With his hands clasped round one of his knees he was rocking slowly backwards and forwards; and I noticed, in the lamplight, that his jaw muscles were contracting rhythmically, like the gills of a fish.

a person you know well and regard with affection and trust

From this reading My thin friend, with the same prim composure upon his emaciated face, had seated himself again upon the box.

plural of “gill” — a British imperial capacity unit (liquid or dry) equal to 5 fluid ounces or 142.066 cubic centimeters

From this reading With his hands clasped round one of his knees he was rocking slowly backwards and forwards; and I noticed, in the lamplight, that his jaw muscles were contracting rhythmically, like the gills of a fish.

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

(with “in”) guardianship over; in divorce cases it is the right to house and care for and discipline a child

From this reading With his hands clasped round one of his knees he was rocking slowly backwards and forwards; and I noticed, in the lamplight, that his jaw muscles were contracting rhythmically, like the gills of a fish.

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading With his hands clasped round one of his knees he was rocking slowly backwards and forwards; and I noticed, in the lamplight, that his jaw muscles were contracting rhythmically, like the gills of a fish.

past form of “heap” — bestow in large quantities

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

used when the man or boy doing the action is also its object

From this reading My thin friend, with the same prim composure upon his emaciated face, had seated himself again upon the box.

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading My thin friend, with the same prim composure upon his emaciated face, had seated himself again upon the box.

moving rapidly or performed quickly or in great haste

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not the case

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

moving to the inside of something

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

talk socially without exchanging too much information

From this reading With his hands clasped round one of his knees he was rocking slowly backwards and forwards; and I noticed, in the lamplight, that his jaw muscles were contracting rhythmically, like the gills of a fish.

and nothing more

From this reading The only light which entered was through the cracks of the old broken door, but these were so wide and numerous that I could see the whole of the room which I had just quitted.

plural of “knee” — hinge joint in the human leg connecting the tibia and fibula with the femur and protected in front by the patella

From this reading With his hands clasped round one of his knees he was rocking slowly backwards and forwards; and I noticed, in the lamplight, that his jaw muscles were contracting rhythmically, like the gills of a fish.

light from a lamp

From this reading With his hands clasped round one of his knees he was rocking slowly backwards and forwards; and I noticed, in the lamplight, that his jaw muscles were contracting rhythmically, like the gills of a fish.

the collection of rules imposed by authority

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

put into a certain place or abstract location

From this reading Sick and faint, with the shadow of death still clouding my wits, I was none the less fascinated by the scene which lay before me.

used to form the comparative of some adjectives and adverbs

From this reading Sick and faint, with the shadow of death still clouding my wits, I was none the less fascinated by the scene which lay before me.

of comparatively little physical weight or density

From this reading The only light which entered was through the cracks of the old broken door, but these were so wide and numerous that I could see the whole of the room which I had just quitted.

prefer or wish to do something

From this reading With his hands clasped round one of his knees he was rocking slowly backwards and forwards; and I noticed, in the lamplight, that his jaw muscles were contracting rhythmically, like the gills of a fish.

limited or below average in number or quantity or magnitude or extent

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

flesh of a lobster

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

less than normal in degree or intensity or amount

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

the person speaking, as the object of a verb or preposition

From this reading Sick and faint, with the shadow of death still clouding my wits, I was none the less fascinated by the scene which lay before me.

thing or person that acts to produce a particular effect or achieve an end

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

(comparative of “much” used with mass nouns) a quantifier meaning greater in size or amount or extent or degree

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

plural of “muscle” — one of the contractile organs of the body

From this reading With his hands clasped round one of his knees he was rocking slowly backwards and forwards; and I noticed, in the lamplight, that his jaw muscles were contracting rhythmically, like the gills of a fish.

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading Sick and faint, with the shadow of death still clouding my wits, I was none the less fascinated by the scene which lay before me.

make or become more narrow or restricted

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

the essential qualities or characteristics by which something is recognized

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

not any; not one

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

not one, and not any

From this reading Sick and faint, with the shadow of death still clouding my wits, I was none the less fascinated by the scene which lay before me.

being perceived or observed

From this reading With his hands clasped round one of his knees he was rocking slowly backwards and forwards; and I noticed, in the lamplight, that his jaw muscles were contracting rhythmically, like the gills of a fish.

amounting to a large indefinite number

From this reading The only light which entered was through the cracks of the old broken door, but these were so wide and numerous that I could see the whole of the room which I had just quitted.

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

(used especially of persons) having lived for a relatively long time or attained a specific age

From this reading The only light which entered was through the cracks of the old broken door, but these were so wide and numerous that I could see the whole of the room which I had just quitted.

used to mean any person in general, including the speaker

From this reading With his hands clasped round one of his knees he was rocking slowly backwards and forwards; and I noticed, in the lamplight, that his jaw muscles were contracting rhythmically, like the gills of a fish.

and nothing more

From this reading The only light which entered was through the cracks of the old broken door, but these were so wide and numerous that I could see the whole of the room which I had just quitted.

beyond or deviating from the usual or expected

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

assume a prim appearance

From this reading My thin friend, with the same prim composure upon his emaciated face, had seated himself again upon the box.

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The only light which entered was through the cracks of the old broken door, but these were so wide and numerous that I could see the whole of the room which I had just quitted.

in a rhythmic manner

From this reading With his hands clasped round one of his knees he was rocking slowly backwards and forwards; and I noticed, in the lamplight, that his jaw muscles were contracting rhythmically, like the gills of a fish.

-ing form of “rock” — move back and forth or sideways

From this reading With his hands clasped round one of his knees he was rocking slowly backwards and forwards; and I noticed, in the lamplight, that his jaw muscles were contracting rhythmically, like the gills of a fish.

an area within a building enclosed by walls and floor and ceiling

From this reading The only light which entered was through the cracks of the old broken door, but these were so wide and numerous that I could see the whole of the room which I had just quitted.

a charge of ammunition for a single shot

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

Identical; not different.

From this reading My thin friend, with the same prim composure upon his emaciated face, had seated himself again upon the box.

the place where some action occurs

From this reading Sick and faint, with the shadow of death still clouding my wits, I was none the less fascinated by the scene which lay before me.

(of persons) having the torso erect and legs bent with the body supported on the buttocks

From this reading My thin friend, with the same prim composure upon his emaciated face, had seated himself again upon the box.

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight

From this reading The only light which entered was through the cracks of the old broken door, but these were so wide and numerous that I could see the whole of the room which I had just quitted.

A dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.

From this reading Sick and faint, with the shadow of death still clouding my wits, I was none the less fascinated by the scene which lay before me.

affected by an impairment of normal physical or mental function

From this reading Sick and faint, with the shadow of death still clouding my wits, I was none the less fascinated by the scene which lay before me.

without speed (“slow” is sometimes used informally for “slowly”)

From this reading With his hands clasped round one of his knees he was rocking slowly backwards and forwards; and I noticed, in the lamplight, that his jaw muscles were contracting rhythmically, like the gills of a fish.

for that reason; with the result that

From this reading The only light which entered was through the cracks of the old broken door, but these were so wide and numerous that I could see the whole of the room which I had just quitted.

not in physical motion

From this reading Sick and faint, with the shadow of death still clouding my wits, I was none the less fascinated by the scene which lay before me.

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

the plural of “this”: the people or things near, or just mentioned

From this reading The only light which entered was through the cracks of the old broken door, but these were so wide and numerous that I could see the whole of the room which I had just quitted.

the people, animals, or things already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

Having little thickness or extent.

From this reading My thin friend, with the same prim composure upon his emaciated face, had seated himself again upon the box.

from one end or side of something to the other

From this reading The only light which entered was through the cracks of the old broken door, but these were so wide and numerous that I could see the whole of the room which I had just quitted.

plural of “trap” — a device in which something (usually an animal) can be caught and penned

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

a formal word for “on”

From this reading My thin friend, with the same prim composure upon his emaciated face, had seated himself again upon the box.

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

the past form of “be” used with you, we, they, or a plural noun

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

including all components without exception; being one unit or constituting the full amount or extent or duration; complete

From this reading The only light which entered was through the cracks of the old broken door, but these were so wide and numerous that I could see the whole of the room which I had just quitted.

work made of interlaced slender branches (especially willow branches)

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

having great (or a certain) extent from one side to the other

From this reading The only light which entered was through the cracks of the old broken door, but these were so wide and numerous that I could see the whole of the room which I had just quitted.

in the company of; together with

From this reading THE LAW The cupboard--for it was little more--into which I had been hurried was low and narrow, and I felt in the darkness that it was heaped with peculiar round wickerwork baskets, the nature of which I could by no means imagine, although I discovered afterwards that they were lobster traps.

the basic human power of intelligent thought and perception

From this reading Sick and faint, with the shadow of death still clouding my wits, I was none the less fascinated by the scene which lay before me.